Norman J. Leonard
Creditors' Rights and Intellectual Property Attorney
T 828.348.6013
F 828.348.6077
E njl@wardandsmith.com
O Asheville, NC
Practice Areas:
Alcoholic Beverage Law, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy Litigation, Financial Institutions, Foreclosures, Fraud and Ponzi Schemes, Intellectual Property, SBA Loan Liquidation, Workouts and Restructuring, Commercial Receiverships
Norman’s practice encompasses a broad range of creditors’ rights and intellectual property matters. His creditors’ rights practice includes the representation of creditors, trustees, and other stakeholders in bankruptcy, collections, foreclosures, receiverships, and workouts. He has represented a wide variety of creditors, including financial institutions, community lenders, equipment manufacturers, community associations, logistics companies, and various other trade creditors.
In his intellectual property practice, Norman assists businesses and individuals with identifying, protecting, enforcing, and managing their IP rights; with trademark and service mark selection, clearance, and registration; in trademark proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and in negotiating the acquisition and transfer of intellectual property rights.
Prior to attending law school and joining the Firm, Norman worked in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries for six years.
Honors and Distinctions
- Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America ®, 2022-2026
Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.
- LL.M., with Distinction, Intellectual Property Law, University College London, 2010
- J.D., magna cum laude, Elon University School of Law, 2009. Editor-in-Chief, Elon Law Review.
- B.S., Saint Mary’s College of California, 1998
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce (Leadership Asheville Alumnus, Class XXX)
- Harry C. Martin American Inn of Court
- North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Bankruptcy; Intellectual Property Law
- North Carolina Creditors Bar Association
- North Carolina, 2009
- Georgia, 2016
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
What I admire most about our intellectual property clients is their incredible enthusiasm and creativity. I’m particularly entertained by all of the interesting tradenames, slogans, and logos that our trademark clients bring to us for vetting and protection. It is one of the things that makes practicing intellectual property law so much fun.
Representative Experience
Creditors’ Rights
- Representing creditors and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings
- Representing lenders in the repossession and sale of heavy equipment and vehicles
- Defending lenders against lender liability claims based on allegations of breach of contract, negligence, breach of good faith and fair dealing, respondeat superior, and violations of the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act
- Representing lenders in transactions involving the sale and assignment of loan documents and negotiable instruments
- The collection of judgments for lenders through the prosecution of fraudulent transfer actions involving real estate
- Representing businesses in real estate foreclosures and workout negotiations with their lenders
Intellectual Property
- Counseling breweries, distilleries, wineries, restaurants, and other businesses in trademark and service mark selection, clearance, and registration
- Assisting various types of businesses in the enforcement of their intellectual property rights against infringers
- Assisting clients with responding to cease and desist letters alleging trademark infringement and negotiating amicable resolutions
- Coordinating the registration, maintenance, and enforcement of international trademark rights for businesses conducting business in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere
Articles + Insights
The Fun and Whimsical (but Crowded) Landscape of Beer Names Part 1
February 25, 2022
